Kingswood School
Kingswood School
Kingswood School
Kingswood School
Kingswood School Bath, Somerset Visit
school
Kingswood School
Bath
900 pupils, ages 11-18
Mixed
Day and Boarding

Kingswood School

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Our View of Kingswood School

With its impressive sporting reputation, excellent academic results and top-billing arts, Kingswood is the epitome of a polymath school. Support for busy families is a big part of the ethos and, with the prep school on the same stunning campus overlooking Bath, it’s a compelling all-through option, with excellent senior boarding school facilities from Year 7.

Where is Kingswood School?

Sitting in an elevated position overlooking beautiful Bath, Kingswood Senior School is about 30 minutes by foot from the city centre – not that you’d know it. Surrounded by parkland, the 123-acre campus, which is home to the prep and the senior schools, feels wonderfully secluded. Founded by John Wesley in 1748, it’s the world’s oldest Methodist educational institution and boasts elegant Georgian buildings. The main Kingswood school building is stunning, with the corridors’ beautiful quarry tiles still intact. In the original physics lecture room, they still have the old wooden benches and you can imagine teachers sweeping in wearing gowns and mortarboards. Classrooms are large and airy; the library is in what was the first-ever classroom at Kingswood and has an impressive stained-glass window at one end.

More recent additions are sympathetic as well as practical, and the whole place feels very well designed. The majority of sports pitches are a five- to 10-minute walk away, and there’s an on-site swimming pool and Astros that are shared with the prep school.

There’s no denying Bath’s traffic challenges, but staggered pick-up times help parents navigate parking and, for those who come from further afield, it’s on the right side of town for the M4, which is about 20 minutes’ drive away. Bath Spa station is a 15-minute drive, and there is also a minibus service for those who travel by train, as well as four other bus routes.

School headmaster

Warm and passionate, Andrew Gordon-Brown took up the reins in 2020 and is clearly well liked by his charges – one of whom is his daughter, who is a pupil here. After a career in banking and finance, he pivoted into education in 2003 and, before arriving at Kingswood School in Bath, he was head at Truro School in Cornwall for eight years, following stints at Stonyhurst College and Radley. 

Admissions process

Most pupils join Kingswood School in Year 7, with about two candidates competing for every place. About 60 to 70 come from the prep school, plus an additional 55 from state, other independent schools or internationally. All prospective pupils are assessed in English, maths and non-verbal reasoning. Places in the extra class that is added in Year 9 are also hotly contested, with about 50 applications for the 20 spaces. At this entry point, preferential treatment is given to boarders and scholars. Pupils applying for a Year 9 place also sit a foreign language and science test. Year 12 applicants are offered a place based on an interview, predicted grades and a current school report and reference.

Academics and destinations

Class sizes at Kingswood Senior School are a maximum of 24, dropping down to 12 to 14 in the sixth form.

Year 7s take two modern foreign languages, one of which they can drop to take up Latin or Mandarin. They also have art, drama, D&T and music timetabled on a carousel. From Year 9, maths and English are set. About 15 per cent of pupils have SEN and are offered one-to-one lessons, for which parents are charged.

At GCSE, there’s a choice of 20 subjects, while there are 23 on offer at A-level, with pupils refreshingly unrestricted by set blocks. Among the most popular subjects are maths, science, economics and psychology, and most start with three instead of taking four and then dropping one – Mr Gordon-Brown believes that the extra time is better used for enrichment activities. Most pupils do an EPQ and are free to follow their own interests; one boy did his on ultramarathons.

Sixth-formers have their own purpose-built centre where they are assigned their own study area. The centre is slated for a refurb and, if it’s anything like the newly renovated café, they’re in for a treat. The school has been astute in creating social spaces to prepare pupils for life after school – one sixth-former told us that not only did he feel he was being taught to pass A-levels, he was also getting an education for life at Kingswood.

Most leavers head off to Russell Group universities (about 70 per cent) and each year a few get a place at Oxbridge. Recently there has been more interest in attending US universities too.

Co-curricular

Kingswood is widely considered one of the top sporting schools in the South West, with many pupils competing at national and international level, and close links to Bath Rugby and Bath University’s sporting department bolstering the offering for the most talented athletes (ex-England and Bath rugby player Matt Banahan is currently on the staff roll). Traditional term sports are played: rugby, hockey and cricket for the boys; hockey, netball and cricket for the girls.

The three-storey art department is amazing, with work on show that would rival that of an art college. D&T is equally impressive; on our visit, we saw Year 8s making pizza cutters, and pupils also create Bluetooth speakers, lamps and miniature Formula One cars.

The arts get top billing too, with a non-stop roster of drama productions, concerts, festivals, exhibitions and professional masterclasses staged throughout the year. One of Mr Gordon-Brown’s goals is to make Kingswood School excellent in all areas, and he recently carried out a musical audit to improve the department – not that it’s not fantastic already. As well as 20 different instrument lessons, pupils can join a jazz orchestra, a chamber choir, string and woodwind groups and lead the Christmas concerts. A new head of drama has introduced LAMDA and aims to involve every year group in an annual performance – recent productions have included Lord of the Flies, Matilda and Antigone.

There are more than 100 co-curricular activities at this Bath senior ­– ranging from kayaking to scriptwriting – for pupils to sink their teeth into.

Boarding

Most of the 200 boarders are full-time, but there are weekly and flexi options too. Many are children with parents serving in the armed forces children and there’s about a 50:50 split of boys and girls, and UK and international boarders. Houses are mixed with day pupils in Years 9 to 13 (brilliant wraparound care means day pupils can stay for supper and homework as and when they wish), which means there’s excellent integration. Dorms are nicely decorated, and there are kitchens for baking and games rooms to socialise in – we had a peep in one house that resembled a smart London hotel with its modernist curves and glass balustrades.

Weekends at Kingswood Senior are fun-packed, with hiking, whitewater rafting or shopping trips into Bath. Pupils are a sociable bunch, and there are lots of friendships across the year groups – one of our pupil guides told us they all prefer to watch films together rather than sit in their rooms on their phones.

School community

The school’s understanding that pupils need social spaces is part and parcel of the pastoral care here. There are lots of sitting areas and games rooms, as well as the boarding houses for day pupils and boarders alike. On top of this every pupil has a house tutor, houseparent and head of year. There are good links with parents, who are an unpretentious bunch, as well as plenty of community outreach, with tea parties to support the elderly and other schools making use of the swimming pool.

And finally....

A wonderfully pupil-centric school where everyone is encouraged to give everything a go and find their passion. The knockout location offers everything you could ask for, with Bath’s city centre just a short walk away, and excellent boarding facilities and wraparound care for day pupils make it a smart choice for two-working-parent families.

Gallery See All

Boys and girls in uniform striding down a road with a teacher
Girl in a grey apron painting a blue wave
Senior drama students in costume holding plant pots in front of a green hedge
Senior boy in white shirt and black waistcoat doing some photography
Boy in a red top running with a rugby ball
Main building of Kingswood Bath
Senior pupils sitting in class with their teacher
School drama performance with a green sea monster on stage
Girls in black school blazers sitting in class in front of a map
  • Academic results

    GCSE results
    A level results
    Download results as PDF
  • Subjects offered

    GCSE

    Art & Design
    Biology
    Business Studies
    Chemistry
    Computer Science
    Design and Technology
    Drama and Theatre Studies
    Economics
    English Language
    English Literature
    French
    Further Mathematics
    Geography
    German
    History
    Latin
    Mandarin
    Mathematics
    Music
    Physical Education
    Physics
    Psychology
    Spanish
    Religion
    Philosophy & Ethics (RPE)

    A Level

    Art & Design
    Biology
    Business Studies
    Chemistry
    Computer Science
    Design and Technology
    Drama and Theatre Studies
    Economics
    English Language
    English Literature
    French
    Further Mathematics
    Geography
    German
    History
    Information Technology
    Latin
    Mathematics
    Music
    Physical Education
    Physics
    Politics
    Psychology
    Spanish
    Religion
    Philosophy & Ethics (RPE)
  • Fees and bursaries

    Day fees per term

    Year 7£7,350
    Year 8 £7,350
    Year 9 £7,350
    Year 10£7,350
    Year 11£7,350
    Year 12£7,350
    Year 13£7,350
    Boarding fees per term

    Year 7£13,288
    Year 8 £13,288
    Year 9 £15,917
    Year 10 £15,917
    Year 11£15,917
    Year 12£15,917
    Year 13£15,917




    Bursaries
    Kingswood has been providing education and financial support to young people for nearly 275 years and, as a school founded by John Wesley, a fundamental part of their ethos has always been to welcome pupils who can best benefit from the power of their education, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. This year they are pleased to provide bursaries worth over £750,000, to over 80 pupils. Each year the school receives more requests for bursaries than they can meet; their application form is therefore detailed but will be reviewed thoroughly by the decision panel, to ensure the school can support as many pupils as possible each year.

    Applications for bursaries are reviewed based on each family’s financial status, but they are usually offered to those pupils for whom it is felt a Kingswood education will be most transformational. Bursaries are often awarded to pupils who have also been offered a scholarship but it is not a pre-requisite.

    Forces families receive up to 20% off the basic fees. This is not a means tested award. 

    Bursary contact:
    Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communication Hannah Drew
    admissions@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
  • SEND

    This school currently supports the following kinds of learning needs, health needs and physical disabilities:
    The school has a Study Support Team in School and currently has pupils with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and other support needs.


    This school currently delivers the following interventions to pupils in class and outside class to support their learning, health and/or physical needs:
    Students are supported in a variety of ways, via Sixth Form Mentors and small tutor groups, a virtual wellbeing area for both staff and pupils, regular tutor meetings and communications with parents. Courses for parents and students support families further, while our Usteer programme helps to understand pupils further.

    The Kingswood for Life programme provides age appropriate guidance and support through tutor groups, assemblies, courses and lessons for each stage of Senior School life.

    This school currently provides the following support for pupils' mental health needs
    An onsite Counsellor which pupils and staff can refer to when needed.

    Co-ordinator: Ilona Chamen ichamen@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
  • Transport links

    School Transport
    School daily bus network

    Public Transport
    Nearest mainline train station: Bath Spa
    Journey time to London by train: 85 minutes
    Nearest international airport: Bristol (19 miles)


  • FAQs

    What is the ethos of Kingswood School, Bath?  
    Kingswood Senior School is driven by an ethos of inclusivity and makes sure every individual feels secure, appreciated, and honoured. They prioritise empathy towards others' emotions and requirements while nurturing a culture of personal accountability among students. This sense of responsibility promotes the respectful treatment of all property, regardless of ownership.

    When did Kingswood School move to Bath?  
    Kingswood School, Bath hasn’t always been based in the city. In 1851 the school underwent a significant transition as it relocated from its original location east of Bristol to a fresh setting with picturesque views overlooking Bath. Renowned architect James Wilson was tasked with designing the new premises, adding a touch of elegance and modernity to Kingswood Senior School.

School Updates

  • First Bath School to Introduce Yondr Pouches: Kingswood Goes Phone-Free

    In response to research that excessive screen time, particularly on smartphones, can have detrimental effects on children’s cognitive and emotional development, Kingswood School has introduced a phone-free policy using technology from Yondr.
    First Bath School to Introduce Yondr Pouches: Kingswood Goes Phone-Free
  • Kingswood Named South West’s First Formula One in Schools Centre of Excellence

    Kingswood School has been selected as an F1 in Schools Centre of Excellence - the first of its kind in the South West of England. The school is one of nine Centres of Excellence serving England, and one of just two schools, with the others being universities or further education establishments.
    Kingswood Named South West’s First Formula One in Schools Centre of Excellence
  • GCSE results success for Kingswood Year 11 students

    Pupils, parents and staff are celebrating at Kingswood in Bath following an excellent set of GCSE/IGCSE results achieved by the Year 11 cohort.
    GCSE results success for Kingswood Year 11 students
  • Kingswood Students Celebrate Excellent A Level Results, with over 80% of results at A* - B.

    Students at Kingswood School are today celebrating outstanding A Level results, with half of all grades at A* or A, 81% at A* - B and a 100% pass rate. The BTec results were similarly outstanding with all candidates achieving distinctions.
    Kingswood Students Celebrate Excellent A Level Results, with over 80% of results at A* - B.
  • Bath students celebrate prestigious engineering scholarship success

    Kingswood School in Bath are celebrating the success of three Year 11 students following the announcement that they were all awarded the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.
    Bath students celebrate prestigious engineering scholarship success
  • Kingswood School announces new Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal

    Kingswood School in Bath are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Mat Chataway as the newly appointed Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal of the Kingswood Foundation.
    Kingswood School announces new Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal
  • Pupils assemble to debate global issues at Model United Nations conference

    Kingswood School in Bath played host to the 33rd Bath International Schools’ Model United Nations (BISMUN) conference, bringing together over 300 pupils from across the country to debate a range of global issues.
    Pupils assemble to debate global issues at Model United Nations conference
  • Kingswood School Deputy Head announced as new Head of Dauntsey's

    It has today been announced that Mr John Davies, Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal at Kingswood School, Bath, has been appointed as the next Head of Dauntsey’s School in Wiltshire. He will therefore be leaving Kingswood at the end of the academic year to take up this role.
    Kingswood School Deputy Head announced as new Head of Dauntsey's
  • See Kingswood in our Senior Boarding Schools Guide

    See Kingswood in our Senior Boarding Schools Guide
  • See Kingswood in our All-through Schools Guide

    See Kingswood in our All-through Schools Guide

Essentials

Address
Lansdown Road, Bath, Somerset BA1 5RG

Contact
admissions@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
01225 734200

Website
kingswood.bath.sch.uk

ISI Report

Fees

Term Dates

Bursaries


Open Days

Open days and how to visit View Open Days Register for open Day



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